UK and France Leaders Agree on Border Reopening...Gradual Reopening Expected

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] France and the United Kingdom have agreed to reopen their border through a summit agreement. Previously, the French government had closed all transportation routes including air, sea, and land, and blocked all human and material exchanges following news of the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK.

According to the UK BBC on the 22nd (local time), UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to reopen the border between France and the UK, which had been closed, and specific details are expected to be announced soon. Cl?ment Beaune, the French Secretary of State for European Affairs, said, "The measures agreed upon by the two leaders will take effect from the 23rd." The exact details of the agreement have not yet been disclosed, but BBC reported that it is expected to include phased reopening measures for air, sea, and land transportation.

Following news of the spread of the COVID-19 variant in the UK, France had completely banned entry from the UK for 48 hours starting at midnight on the 21st. Entry to France was blocked not only at UK ports such as Dover but also through the Eurotunnel under the English Channel. Logistics movement was also completely halted.

As a result, cargo trucks and transport ships at Dover, a major trading port between the UK and the European continent, have been stranded and unable to move. So far, more than 40 countries, including France, have restricted the entry of people and goods staying in the UK.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.